Product Description

Chronicles the remarkable life of the author of Anne of Green Gables, detailing her roles as teacher, journalist, and dutiful daughter, and how she was able to maintain her dream of becoming a writer. Reprint. K. PW.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2578194 in Books
• Published on: 1994-04-01
• Released on: 1994-04-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 166 pages

From Publishers Weekly
With a tender and sympathetic eye, Bruce reveals the quiet heroism of the author of Anne of Green Gables and the other Avonlea books. Like her famous heroine, Montgomery (1874-1942) was without parents--her mother died before Montgomery's second birthday, and when she was seven, her father left her in the care of her grandparents. Also like Anne, Montgomery was independent: despite disapproval from her family and the restrictive mores of Victorian-era Canada, she steeled herself at an early age to become a successful writer (she began making daily journal entries when she was nine) and attended college. But Bruce also shows another side of the "revolutionary" woman as someone who had a strong sense of duty to family and friends, and who spent most of her early adult years caring for a stubborn, reclusive grandmother. Bruce's writing is easy and engaging, but his emphasis on the romantic angles of Montgomery's life is a bit tiresome. Overall, though, a well-crafted and solid biography. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Grade 6-9-- Lucy Maud Montgomery had a bleak childhood growing up in a household where she was little more than tolerated by her two elderly grandparents. The story follows the ups and downs of her life, including her struggles to make a career of writing while fulfilling family obligations. This well-written account covers much of the unpleasantness in her life, along with interesting commentary about the young men attracted to her and, of course, her pursuit of a literary career. Young readers are likely to find such revelations dull, but junior high students may be interested. Eight pages of captioned black-and-white photographs are included. --Phyllis G. Sidorsky, National Cathedral School, Washington, DC
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Publisher
Like her beloved character Anne of Green Gables, L. M. Montgomery spent her childhood a rural farmhouse. Born November 30, 1874, and raised by strict, elderly guardians, Maud had an early life full of loneliness and struggle; however, she had a secret dream: to become a writer.

Customer Reviews

Dull account of a fascinating life
This biography of L.M. Montgomery, marketed towards young adults, has nothing new to offer. It was mostly a rehash of Montgomery's own memoirs, titled "The Alpine Path". Plus, there was surprisingly little information about Montgomery's years after she published Anne. Perhaps it would have been at least an average bio if the author had illustrated some of Montgomery's experiences or parts of her life, but he really didn't even attempt to do that, with the exception of parts of some of her minor romances. If you are looking for a good L.M. Montgomery biography, try "The Alpine Path" or her journals to hear about Montgomery in her own words.

Not bad for what it is
I think the previous reviews for this book are a bit harsh. I purchased this book when it was originally released. I was in my early teens at the time, and as a younger reader with no prior knowledge of Lucy Maud Montgomery's biography, I enjoyed it for the basic information it provided. Having reread it recently, I can say that while it may be too brief to satisfy adult readers, it nonetheless stands up as a concise character sketch. Readers looking for more detail may want to look elsewhere to the numerous fine studies available on LMM and her work, but for the YA audience for which it was intended, I think this book is a solid introduction to the life of a brilliant author.

Maud: The Life of L.M. Montgomery
I bought this book in anticipation of finding out about Maud's personal life and her thoughts. I was very disappointed. There was nothing in the biography that gave me any insight into the life of my favorite author. I do not recommend this book.